Sondors 3-seater electric trike for $10,000 - Page 4 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

Grant-53 · 02-01-2018, 11:26 PM

"Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles" 5th Ed. copyright is 2016. The graph is cited from an article by W. A. Mair in 1978. The transition to the taper cannot be abrupt as in the "ice cream cone" profile. The article points out that many cars use a 10 degree taper to good effect as in the tests done using the Mercedes Benz C111. So yes, an exponential curve is better than lopping off at a given angle.

Hersbird · 02-02-2018, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSH

This is more than a motorcycle:

Airbags will need to meet US standards
HVAC will need to be filled with US legal refrigerant and meet US standards
The power windows will need automatic reverse
The glass will need to meet US standards.
Seatbelts will need to meet US standards.

Then you have shipping. This is closer in size to a car than a motorcycle and they would be lucky to get 10 in a container. Then you have truck shipping within the USA

You have to be licensed, bonded, and insured in the USA. You need a US sales force. You need to register VIN numbers. You need to offer financing and be able to buy down APRs to match the competition. You have to have a dealership network (that takes a percentage of the sale price) or some other way to handle distribution, vehicle prep, recalls and warranty claims.

All of this adds up to more than $10K. I was a product manager responsible for a UTV manufactured in India and sold the USA. The little stuff adds up.

This would actually be easier than a UTV, 3 wheels means motorcycle in the US. I don't think that will stand once somebody actually does some real production and gets a ton on the road but in the meantime they just need motorcycle safety and emissions which are easy in comparison. Still $10,000 isn't going to happen but this company does make an e-bike less than I could put one together myself using the least expensive parts available so who knows. $10,000 also shurely doesn't cover things like shipping, it doesn't for any car's or motorcycle's MSRP.

JSH · 02-02-2018, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hersbird

This would actually be easier than a UTV, 3 wheels means motorcycle in the US. I don't think that will stand once somebody actually does some real production and gets a ton on the road but in the meantime they just need motorcycle safety and emissions which are easy in comparison. Still $10,000 isn't going to happen but this company does make an e-bike less than I could put one together myself using the least expensive parts available so who knows. $10,000 also shurely doesn't cover things like shipping, it doesn't for any car's or motorcycle's MSRP.

Any company that puts an airbag in a vehicle that doesn't meet US standards is in for a world of hurt the first time someone is in a crash and gets injured.

Hersbird · 02-02-2018, 12:39 PM

So don't put an airbag in it.

JSH · 02-02-2018, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hersbird

So don't put an airbag in it.

That would be one solution - if they hadn’t already promised the vehicle would be equipped with airbags.

That is the problem with all these scammer trike companies. They promise all the features of a car for the price of a motorcycle. That should be a red flag to anyone. Any large investor takes one look at the business plan and walks away. So they crowdsource and bilke small investors and dreamers instead.

Hersbird · 02-02-2018, 05:04 PM

Maybe the airbag is in the suspension. Maybe it's an option. I agree though and was trumpeting this on the Elio thread endlessly. Just market it as a safer motorcycle. I say use handlebars like the Arcimoto as well. Arcimoto has it figured out, all they need is a sleek plastic body. They aren't that much over $10,000. Certainly with more scale they could be under $10,000.

Angel And The Wolf · 02-02-2018, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant-53

"Aerodynamics of Road Vehicles" 5th Ed. copyright is 2016. The graph is cited from an article by W. A. Mair in 1978.

Yes, in 1978 the National Maximum Speed Limit was 55 mph. At 55, air can follow a more abrupt angle than at 75. I'm going with the 15 degree quote, rather than the 22 degrees that was OK in 1978.